opinion in the community seems to be that the Italian is as good in both respects as the American. The settlers consume large quantities of beer, but intoxication is rare. The moral character of women of the settlement is said to be excellent.

Family ties in this settlement seem to be unusually strong, nearly all the settlers are related, and it is said that this fact more than any other has hindered Americanization. Children remain at home until they are of age and all of their earnings go into the family fund. The head of the house remains the absolute dictator. Even after the children are grown, his commands are law. The settlers seem to have unusual affection for their children, and the children by their actions show that they have been taught to obey and respect their parents.

EFFECT OF SETTLEMENT ON NEIGHBORHOOD.

The effect of the settlement on the neighborhood has been marked. Land which was considered worthless has been reclaimed, put into a high state of cultivation, and greatly enhanced in value. Crops which were considered unimportant before the coming of the Italians have become the money crops of the locality and have made Port Byron a well-known market for onions, celery, and willow.

The value of farms has increased steadily since immigrants have shown what can be accomplished on the muck land, and the general economic condition of the community is better than before the settlement was made. There has been no population shift, as immigrants have purchased land heretofore unoccupied or deserted.

SECOND GENERATION.

The second generation is doing much toward the Americanization of the settlement. All who are of school age have attended school and can speak, read, and write English. They associate to some extent with Americans and some show considerable civic interest. The women of the settlement marry early, usually between the ages of 16 and 20 years. None of the settlers have intermarried with Americans. Nearly all are following some form of farm work, and very few, if any, have left the locality permanently.

STATISTICAL DATA FOR SELECTED FAMILIES.

A special study was made of eight Italian farms near Port Byron which are typical of the locality. Of the eight families selected, seven owned their farms and one was a tenant. The farms ranged in size from 2 to 125 acres, and in value from $700 to $10,000, the average value per farm and improvements being $4,129. The total value of live stock owned was $2,515, the average value per farm being $314.38. Tools and implements to the value of $1,105 were reported, with an average valuation per farm of $138.13. Other property, the nature of which was not designated, was worth $3,540, or $442.50 per farm. All of the farmers interviewed produced celery, seven produced onions, while willow, cabbage, and potatoes were grown on one farm each. There was indebtedness for land on only two farms, amounting to $1,000, and three farmers had debts for supplies, etc., to the amount of $325, or $108.33 per farmer.

The prices paid for farms varied from $300 to $6,500, the average price paid per farm being $1,857.14. Only one farm was paid for in cash, the rest being mortgaged for from less than one-half to threefourths of their cash value. The first farm was purchased in 1889, the last in 1906. At the time of purchase three farms were undrained. and uncleared and four were tillable.

The length of time the heads of the different families have been in the locality ranges from twelve to twenty-nine years. Prior to coming to the locality, the heads of four families lived in Campania, Italy; two lived in New York City; one in Cleveland, Ohio; and one was born in Port Byron. All but one were employed in the locality from two to twenty-six years in farm or railroad work before engaging in farming for themselves. It was found that all the children in the families investigated who were old enough were attending school and all could speak English. Only the older immigrants, those who were of advanced age at the time of landing in this country, were unable to speak the English language. All immigrants of the second generation could read, write, and speak English. It was further found that the general health of the settlement was good and that no diseases had been introduced to the locality by immigrants.

TABLE 38.-Economic history and present financial condition of certain typical South Italian families, Port Byron, N. Y.

Irish potatoes.